LATFOR React-o-Mat: aggrieved googoos edition

We’ll post responses to the release of LATFOR’s maps from horrified good-government groups as we receive them, newest at top.

From Bill Mahoney, NYPIRG numbers-cruncher supreme:

There are several methods of measuring how representative of voters districts are. The typical deviation from the ideal population is one of the few completely objective criteria that can be used. While judging this set of proposed maps by this yardstick, the Senate’s maps are clearly the most gerrymandered lines in recent New York history. The Assembly’s are slightly better than 2002’s final maps, but fall far short of providing mathematically equal representation.

While Mahoney is adhering to a 3 point standard, the Senate GOP notes that the U.S. Supreme Court has held that districts should actually be within 5 percentage points larger or smaller from the ideal size.

From former NYC Mayor and New York Uprising founder Ed Koch:

“No surprise, I am disappointed in this result and in the dishonorable lawmakers who openly pledged to do things differently this year, and then reneged when it wasn’t to their political advantage. What a shame: this is not reform in letter or in spirit. Today, victory lies with the Enemies of Reform.

Governor Cuomo ran for office pledging to reform the way our state works, and to date, he’s kept his word. His decision now — whether to honor his pledge and veto the gerrymandered map or whether to allow the legislature to get away with a self-serving map — is a key test of his leadership. Just this afternoon the Governor said his position has not changed, which I applaud him for, and I have every confidence he will keep his word to the people of New York and veto the proposed maps.

I have no regrets about taking on this battle; I know that the fight for reform is a long war, and I care too much about New York to stand aside. I am proud that we have focused New Yorkers’ attention on redistricting, which will carry enormous consequences for years to come.”

Although the Supreme Court’s recent decision regarding the Texas redistricting leaves in doubt the impact a court can have on the redistricting process, the outcome in New York is not yet settled as states continue to grapple with the issue. In fact, just yesterday the top court in Pennsylvania ordered the legislative redistricting commission to come up with a new plan and ruled that the current district lines will stand until then.